LAS VEGAS -- Promoting a concept of “smarter and wider,” Panasonic debuted eight digital cameras at its International Lumix launch event at the Palms hotel here. The event was a preview of the PMA show that opened Thursday in the Las Vegas Convention Center. Emphasizing automatic features, new wide angle lens technology and HD video, the new line will figure prominently in Panasonic’s quest to achieve 15 percent global unit market share by 2009, senior executives said.
Rebecca Day
Rebecca Day, Senior editor, joined Warren Communications News in 2010. She’s a longtime CE industry veteran who has also written about consumer tech for Popular Mechanics, Residential Tech Today, CE Pro and others. You can follow Day on Instagram and Twitter: @rebday
LAS VEGAS -- Chipmaker Zoran Corp. came to CES to spread the gospel about its fledgling content service, executives said here this week. Called Switch Network, it’s designed as a multiplatform solution for transmitting content among a wide variety of devices, without the need for a PC.
DENVER -- Texas Instruments is developing a new 0.65- inch 1080p-capable DLP microdisplay chip for release in Q3 of 2008, potentially narrowing the retail price gap with LCDs in front projectors, TI executives told us at the CEDIA Expo. TI will have initial versions of the chip ready in-house by Q2 2008, said John Van Scoter, TI senior vice president for DLP products. Since TI is developing the device based on its 0.7-inch platform, the new chip can be dropped into 0.7- compatible products, Van Scoter said.
DENVER -- HD DVD supporters on Wednesday’s press day at the CEDIA Expo said they feel comfortable positioning their format this holiday on low price versus Blu-ray, while Blu- ray backers said they're content with their format’s price premium over HD DVD because it’s winning consumers’ hearts and minds.
ORLANDO -- Home technology installations as a proportion of new home sales fell in 2006, said a report released here last week at the International Builders’ Show (IBS). The data echoed those from a CEA survey also released last week showing growth of custom electronics installations -- structured wiring, monitored security and multiroom audio and other elements -- has flattened in the home builder market.
Panasonic Wed. became the latest digital camera maker to jump the gun by introducing new models ahead of PMA. The company unveiled its 2007 spring line more than a month ahead of the annual show, being held this year in Las Vegas, March 8-11.
Convergence was one of the more trumped-up themes at CES, and its effects are being felt on the custom and consumer sides of the business, according to the product trends evident at the show and interviews there with key supplier executives.
SANTA MONICA -- The newest vehicle sound system born of an 8-year collaboration between Lexus and Mark Levinson last week got a media preview: A reference surround system for Lexus flagship, the LS 460. Called Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound, the 19-speaker system packs 7 metal-cone midrange drivers, 7 titanium dome tweeters, a pair of 6x9 woofers, 2 metal cone woofers and a 10” inverted-motor subwoofer into custom-designed locations in the dash, doors, side panels and rear deck.
SAN FRANCISCO -- Panasonic last week showed a 2nd generation of its Acura/ELS Surround Premium sound system in a preview for reporters here of the RDX to hit Acura showrooms in Aug.